Meat & Cheese & Fruit... Oh My!

I love to entertain and there is a secret to it that I will share with you. I make the same thing all the time and I am really good at it.

Everyone loves platters filled with small bites. I keep packages of cheese, cured ham, salami sticks and containers of olives in my fridge. I have almonds or pecans in the pantry and some sort of fruit in the bowl on the counter.

You are looking to present a nice blend of items with complimentary flavors. The salami has fat that goes with vinegary peppers. Salty olives are perfect with a smoky cheese and the sweetness of grapes.

If we invite friends to the house after golf, or I simply do not feel like cooking supper, I grab my stash and in ten minutes I have sliced, cubed and arranged half a dozen little piles of goodness on a piece of slate.

All that is left is for me to grab glasses, open a bottle of wine and turn on the music!

Great items to keep on hand for a wonderful afternoon in your backyard.

• A stick of Boars Head Pepperoni or Salami
• A package of Prosciutto or Serrano ham
• Smoked Gouda, Jarlsberg, Brie, or good ole Cheddar cheese
• Olives, pickled peppers, giardiniera
• Dried dates, figs, or apricots
• Almonds, walnuts, cashews or pecans
• Grapes, apple or pear slices, melon, strawberries